Spacer-bar mechanism for type-writing machines.



PATENTED DEG. 3. 1907.

W. B.. FOX. I SPACER BAR MEGHANISM FOR. TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. l. 1907.

`.and simple means of'adjusting the 'sto of v connections in position.

, ing'a part of this specification, m which,

useful Improvements in S acer-Bar Mechan- `movement of the key levers, and it is alsoprovide a splecial construction of adjusting improved s eet metal spacer bar withimbythe devices and means described in the WILLIAM R. FOX, Ol GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

SPACER-BAR MECHANISM FOB. TYyE-WRITING MACHINES.

no. erases.

Specification of Letters I atent .isillioation filed February 1. 1.907. Serial No'. tl'o'zll.A f

Patented Dec. 3, 1962)?.l

To all 'whom fit'may concern:

Be it known -that I, WILLIAM R.- Fox, a citizen of the United States, residing vat Grand Rapids, in the county of Ken`t,-State of Michigan, have invented certain new and ism for TypefWriting M ac ines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in typewriting machines, the improvement pertamingparticularly to the spacer bar mechanism and adjustments of a typewriter machine.

In the manufacture of a ty cwi-iter, it isV necessary that the spacer bar e adjustable. within certain ranges to accommodate the necessary that the striking part or stop ofeach key lever, orother actuating part, be adjustable so that the various'parts can be adjusted in their relation'to the spacer bar aiter the machine is assembled. I I

' The objects of my invention are, first, to

means on t e key lever and an adjustable s acer bar, the same being adapted to comspacer bar longitudinally of the key lever. Second, to "provide an efficient and practical eacbzkey lever, which contacts-with an actuates the s acer bar; Third, to provide an proved meansof locking and retaining the Further objects, and objects pertaining to details of construction, l will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

l accomplish the objects-of .my invention following specification.

The invention is clearly ed out in the claims.

`So much of a typewriter as is necessary to illustrate my -improvementsis clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, form- 'dened and point- I Figure 1 is a detail 'view of the rear portion of one side of a typewriter, partially in section, showing the rear (portion of the key le ver with my lmproved evice in position; the upper portion of guide 7 anda part of spring 22A beingindicatedby dotted hnes;v 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view on line 2--2 of Figs. 1 .and 45, through a pair of keys at the side ofthe machine" kand throu h my improved spacer bar mechanism; Flg. 213 illustrates the opposite symmetrical end of the universal s acer bar and adjacent parts appearing in 2 on a reduced scale; 3 1s a similarl enlarged detaii sectional view taken on a e 3-3 of Fig.4 2, showing the details of the adjustable stop, the key ever not being sectioned; Fig. 4 is a similarly enlarged detaill inverted plan view of one end of the spacer bar; Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of the guide for the spacer bar attached to the s acer lever 6, taken from the right hand of i 2 and t e rear of Fig. 1; and 6 is a detail inverte plan view ofthe threa ed nut 15 by which the'spacer bar is adjusted on its connections.

in the drawing, all of the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines, and similar numerals of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the numbered arts of the drawing, the frame 1 of the mac ine is of the usual form, a fragment only of which is hereillustrated. Across lthe back .of the frame is the fulcrum bar? which carries the pivotal connection for the rear ends of the key lever 3 and spacer lever 6. The key lever 3 and spacer lever 6 are held normally upward by a spring 5, the lower endl of which presses against the transverse bar 4. To the spacer lever 6 is secured a guide 7 which is slotted Aand receives the .universal spacer bar 8,

which, is made of sheet metal and is turned down to form a channel, as is clearly illus trated in the cross-section in Fig. 1.

On theu-pper surface is cemented a cushion 9,-of leather; felt, rubber, or any other suitable material. The s acer bar is adjust able on its rods 17, one owhich is located'at each end (one only being illustrated here, as they are du licates), by a round nut 15, which is note ed on o posite sides at 1.6.

In the channel of the universal spacer bar isa spring slide 10, the end of which is slotted, and an upward rojection 1,3 is formed justed. The inner en is downturned at 11,

forming a'thumb-j'piece or handle by which 4the slide can be moved back and forth. The outerend is deflected downward below the rojecting portions a sufficient distance to orm an inclined'plane, so that, when the and then move the 'slide back, when the elasticity of the spring on the projections will retain the nut againstrotatlon and retain the bar snugly against the nut7 at the same time preventing its accidental displacement when 1n use.

The bar, as has been before remarked, is.'

retained and fixed in longitudinal position to the spacer lever by the guide 7, which embraces the same. The end 8 of the bar 8- is turned up into a flat blade in proximity to the guide 7, it insuring a more perfect guiding eHect and preventing endwise movement of the spacer bar.

The structure of the adjustable stops on -30 the key levers 3 will-now be fully explained,

and the lmethodof their adjustment', whereby the stops are retained in proper relation to the spacer bar, will be explained. The stop 18 is formed by folding a piecenof sheet metal'into substantially a U-shape, so that it embraces the key lever 3. Slots 21 are cut or formed 1`n opposite sides of this stop and embrace a pin 20, which projects on one side and retains- .the stop .from longitu- 40v dinal movement, but'allows the same to be adjusted up and down. A hole 26 is formed just within the bottom fold of the sheet metal, as clearly aplpears in Figs. 1 and 3. A pn119, suitably s ouldered'at each end, lis riveted into the up er end of the sto 18 between its sides and) properly spaced. lA re-curved spring 22 -is engaged underneath the pin 19. at its vupper end, which is suitably conformed thereto, and its lower re-curved end rests on--top of lthe key lever 3, constantly throwing the stop upwardly, which tends to raise it against the under side of the key lever 3. v Upwardly' rojecting lu s 24, 2 5, are formed'from t e sheet metaat each end of the groove formed by the upturned sides of the stop.

A wedge 23, toothed onits lower lnclined side, is inserted between lthe stop and the lower side of the key 3, the teeth thereof projectingdownwardly opposite the aperture 26 and being'suiiiciently spaced to receive the upwardly-projecting lugs-24, 25, before described.- c

To adjust this improved key stop, 1t -1s serves to hold t e sides gaging the said slots; a spring for holding said acting substantially as described and for the only necessary to move the wedge 23 back and forth on the under side of the key level' 3. 'If the wedge were an inclined ilane, there would be a more or less likelihood of its becoming displaced and, on the other hand, it might become necessary to-exert considerable force upon it. By inserting most any kind of a ointed instrument-as the end of a file shan -intothe hole 26, and giving it a rotation, it will take hold of the teeth on the wedge 23 an'd the same can be adjusted back and forth with great ease and certainty, the action of the rotating part being to depress the stop and, as that is retained substantially against longitudinal movement, the. wedge can be advanced or withdrawn at pleasure by the turning of the file shank, or other instrument, backand forth. Thus a very close and accurate adjustment of the stop on the key lever is secured in an exactlyv vertical position above the universal spacer bar, which is retained in the desired position underneath the key lever by the guide 7 heretofore-referred to and described. 1t will thus be seen that the general adjustment of the universal spacer bar can be readily secured by turning ithe nut 15 so as to adjust the height of the same on its supports 17, which connect the'same to the escajiement mechanism of a typewriter. When t iis general adjustment is secured, the stop on each key lever is independently adjusted to ac commodate the sllght variations in the dip of the different keysto secure the pro er releaseof the escapement and feed of t ie carriage for each key of the typewriter.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a typewriter, theeombination with the frame of the typewriter of the spacer lever r6; aguidel 7 thereon; a universal spacer bar retained within the guide; a rod connecting said bar to the'escapement and suitable adjusting means therefor; key levers to the typewriter; an adjustable stop on each key lever, madeof a fold of sheet metal and having vertical slots; a pin on the key lever ensto s upward; and an a justable wedge with rac teeth, between the underside of the key -lever and the adjustable sto for regulating4 the hei ht of the stop vertica ly at a substantially fixed point on' the keyT lever, all co purpose specliied 2. In a typewriter, the combinatlon with the s acer lever of a'guide 7 thereon; a unlversall) space bar ,formed of a channel of sheet'rnetal; escapement connecting rod 17 screw-threaded at its lower end; the notched screw nut thereon; and a lock for the nut con sisting of the spring slide 10 arranged wlthin the channel w1th its end slotted and curved to pass readily outside the nut, the ends belng 13 0 formed with projections to engage the notches in the nut, co-acting substantially as described and 'for the purpose specified.

ln a typewriter, the conibination with the spacer lever of a guide 7 thereon; a universal spacer bar formed of a channel of sheet metall; the escapement connecting rod 1T screwethreaded at its lower end; a screw nut thereon; and a lock for the nut, consisting of the spring slide 10 arranged within the channel with its end curved to pass readily outside the nut, co-acting substantially as de-4 scribed and for the purpose specified.

4. In a typewriter, the combination with the' spacer lever of a universal spacer bar formed of a channel ofgsheet metal; the es capenient connecting rod 17 screw-threaded at its lower end; the notched screw nut thereon: and a lock'for the nut, consisting of the spring slide 10 with its end slotted and curved to pass readily outside the nut, the ends being formed with projections to engage the notches in the nut, co-acting substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

5. In a typewriter, the combination with the spacerllever of a universal spacer b'ar formed of a-channel of sheet metal; the escapement connecting rod 17 screw-threaded at its lower end; the screw nut thereon; and a lock for'the nut, consisting of the spring slide lO'with its end curved to pass readily outside'the nut, co-actng substantially as described and for the pu ose specified.

6. In a typewriter, 1tlie combination with the key levers of a universal spacer' bar formed of a channel or sheet metal, the edges thereofbeing turned downward; and connecting vdevices within the channel for securing the same to the connecting rod, for the purpose speciiied.

7. In a typewriterthe' combination'of the Akey lever 3; a universal spacer bar stop 18 formed ofxsheet metal folded to embrace the key lever 3 and having a slot 21 formed therein; a pin 20 on the lever engaging the said slot; a shouldered rivet 19 between the upper sides of said stops; a spring 22 for throwing the stop normallyT upward; lugs 24, 25, at the ends of the channel formed by a fold of sheet metal; and an adjustable wedge 23 with rack teeth, arranged betweenl the lower side of the key lever 3 andthe bottom part of the stop, the teeth being arranged to engage the lugs 24, 25, a round hole being Jformedthrough the lower'partlo'f the stop to permit the insertion of anfinstrument for a'djusting the wedge, co-acting for the purpose specified.

3. In a typewriter,the combination of the key lever 3; a universall spacer, bar stop 18 formed of sheet ,metall folded to embrace the keylever 3; a shouldered rivet y19 between ther upper sides of said stops a yspring 22 for throw- 6a ing the stop normally upward; lugs 24, 25, at

the ends of the channel formed by a foldol' sheet metal; and an adjustable wedge -l with rack teeth, arranged between the lower sides of the key lever 3 and the bottom part of the stop, the teeth being arranged to engage the lugs 24, 25, a round hole being' formed through the lower part of the stop to pemit the insertion of an instrument foradjusting the wedge, co-acting for the purpose specified.

9. In' a typewriter, the combination of the key lever 3; a universal spacer bar 1S formed of sheet metal folded to embrace the key lever 3; a shouldered rivet 19 between the upper sides of said sto s; a spring 22 for throwing the stop norma ly upward; lugs 24, 25, at the ends of the channel Jformed by a fold of sheet metal; and an adjustable wed e 23 with rack teeth, arranged between the ower side of the key lever 3 and the bottom part of the stop, the teeth being arranged to en- Gage the lugs 24, 25, a. round hole being Yformed through the lower part of the sto p to lpermit the insertion oi an instrument for adjusting the wedge, co-acting for the purpose specified.

10.A In a typewriter, the combination ofthe key lever 3; a universal spacer bar stop 1S formed of sheet metal folded to embrace the key lever; a spring 22 for thrownig the stop normally upward and an adjustable wedge 23 with rack teeth', arranged between the lower sides of the key lever 3, and the bottom part oi 4the stop, a round hole being formed through thelower part'of the stop to permit the insertion of an instrument for adjusting the wedge, co-acting for the purpose specified.

11. In a typewriter, the combination with the key lever of a universal s acer bar stop embracing the same; a spring or holding said stop normally upward; an adjustable wedge between the key lever and the'stop for adjusting the elevation of the stop vertically on the key lever; .land a transverse uide for the said stop, for the purpose specitgied.

' 12. In a typewriter, the combination with the key lever of a universal spacer bar stop embracing the same; a` springfor holding said stop normally upward; and an adjustable wedge between the key lever and the sto for adjusting the elevation of the stop verticafllly on the key lever, for the purpose spec1' e 13. The combination with the type key levers, of a universal spacer bar having up,- turned ends of sheet metal in planes transverse to the said bar; spacer levers 6 towards to restriet the longitudinal movement of said In witness whereof, I have hereunto set bar; spacer Alevers at each side of the said my hand and seal in the presence of two wit 10 type key levers in proximity t0 the upturned nesses. guide portions and between the same and 5 the type key levers7 whereby the universal bar is guided in its vertical movement and a Vitnesses: rubbing Contact of its connections with the ELLA DE VRIES, key levers avoided. A. WALCOTT.

WILLIAM n. Fox. [L 5.] 

